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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Love Lost by Maria Desouza Review & Giveaway

Love can come into your life in an instant, and leave just as quickly....

Jason Straiz is a New York detective working on a case to bring down a major crime lord. He keeps his life simple. Work. Family. Friends. Until he meets Selene.

Selene is a lawyer on a mission. Her goal is to bring down the monster that has been terrorizing her for years. When she meets Jason, the attraction is intense. When Jason comes to her aide after tragedy strikes, he becomes a target.

When her case and their relationship collide, will her secrets destroy a future they could have together? Can he handle the truth about her?

Great start to a brand new series! Selene has been abused by an ex-boyfriend. She had to leave her native country but in now she's an ADA putting away the bad guys and she almost has enough evidence to bring Lucio down.

Jason is an NYPD Detective who just got told by his captain that he will be going under cover against Lucio. When a dead body shows up the clues lead to Selene. But Jason can't believe she could be involved.

Selene and Jason are both working towards the same end but can they trust each other enough to get Lucio before it's too late? And what about the budding relationship between them?

This story catches you from the very beginning! I can't wait to read the next installment!

The following is a character interview. It is between the author (ME!!!) and my three main characters: Jason Straiz, Selene Mendez, and Lucio Cardoso. Enjoy.

I finish putting the last bowl on the patio table when I hear a tapping noise behind me. I turn to see what it was as Jason opens the glass patio doors and walks up to greet me with a bear hug, picking me up in the process. As he sets me back down, he looks over at the table.

Jason: “Are we having company?”

I raise my eyebrows.

Maria: “You know we are.”

Pointing toward a chair, Jason sits down as I find my seat next to him. He looks relaxed in jeans and a t-shirt. I noticed he hadn’t shaved and was sporting a bit of face scruff. I leaned over and rubbed his beard.

M: “What’s the deal with this?”

He laughs.

J: “I’m trying something new. I take it you’re not a fan?”

M: “Hell no.”

Jason reaches for a beer and hands me a Mountain Dew.

J: “So what’s this interview we have to do?”

Grabbing my notebook and pen, I set them on the table in front of me.

M: “I’m going to ask you some questions so everyone can get to know you better.”

He leans back and stares at me, making me forget why I was there.

M: “OK. How do you feel about Love Lost and your story being told?”

J: “Well, I don’t think that anyone could have done it as well as you did.”

J: “Oh God no! I’m just a guy who does my job. There are plenty of officers out there doing their job and taking down bad guys. The officers and soldiers that don’t come home, those are the heroes in this world.”

M: “Your biggest accomplishment?”

Jason smiles and I know what he is thinking right away.

M: “No spoilers, Jay.”

J: “Even if it is my greatest accomplishment?”

M: “Fine, we’ll skip that question. Describe Selene and what she means to you.”

He looks distant all of a sudden.

J: “She’s my world. Selene’s the love of my life.”

M: “Can you picture yourself with anyone else?”

Jason leans in, deep in thought.

M: “Did I stump you?”

J: “No. I don’t want to be with anyone else except for Selene. I just don’t know what the future brings. I would like to spend the rest of my life with her. I guess it depends on what you decide to write for us.”

M: “I guess you’re going to have to wait and see.”

His phone chirps and Jason excuses himself to answer it. After a few minutes, he hangs up and I see the familiar look on his face.

M: “Duty calls, huh?”

J: “Story of my life, right?”

Jason hugs me before he leaves, leaving me to wonder on his relationship with Selene and where it will lead. My phone rings and the caller id shows that it is Lucio. I almost let it go to voicemail when I realize that I need to interview him. So reluctantly, I hit the accept button.

M: “Can I help you?”

Lucio: “Yes, you can, Ms. DeSouza.”

M: “It’s Mrs actually. Where are you?”

L: “I’m outside waiting in the car. Would you mind taking a drive with me?”

I cringe at the thought of being in the car alone with him.

M: Whatever. I’ll be right out.

I head outside through side entrance, where a long limo is parked in front of the house. Lucio is leaning against the extravagant vehicle as I walk toward him. He is in a designer suit and as much as I hated to admit it, he looks good. The driver opens the door and I climb inside with Lucio close behind me. He grabs two glasses and offers me a drink.

M: “No thank you. Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

L: “A woman who knows what she wants. Not something I am used to.”

M: “You’ll get over it, I’m sure.”

Lucio inches closer to me as I open my notebook. Pulling my hair to the side, he whispers in my ear.

L: “I can always teach you how to be obedient.”

Turning to face him, I smile.

M: “So can I. It’s called shoving a hot curling iron up your-”

L: “OK. Truce. Ask your questions.”

M: “Why do you feel that Selene belongs to you?”

L: “I knew I wanted her from the moment I saw her and she felt the same way. I just need to remind her of that.”

M: “That sounds like a threat.”

L: “It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”

I roll my eyes and continue.

M: “Do you consider yourself a villain or just misunderstood?”

L: “Definitely a villain. There is no misunderstanding with me. I will kill. I will torture. I will do what I need to do in order to get what I want. Good guys are boring.”

M: “But they usually win at the end. They also get the girl.”

Lucio’s jaw twitches at my words. I was provoking him and a part of me wondered what he would do if I continued to push him.

L: “Not always, Mrs. DeSouza.”

M: “We’ll see. What is your biggest flaw?”

L: “I have none. You made me perfect, remember?”

M: “Vanity, check. Any regrets?”

L: “Not killing a certain detective when I had the chance.”

M: “I’m sure he feels the same way.”

L: “So quick to defend your detective. He is not as perfect as you may think.”

M: “I never claimed he was perfect, but he has one thing that you don’t.”

L: “And that is?”

M: “Character. Oh, and Selene’s love.”

Lucio leans in and tries to grab me before rethinking his actions. He sat back and put on his sunglasses.

L: “I’m done with this interview.”

He signals for the driver to drive me home.

M: “I’m crushed.”

L: “We could always go back to my place and continue this interview there.”

M: “Do you have a curling iron?”

He narrows his eyes and the limo comes to a stop.

L: “This was…delightful. We should do it again. Soon.”

M: “Sure. Wait for my call.”

I practically fly out of the car before Lucio has a chance to respond. I shake off the bad vibes and walk back into the backyard. My guests had arrived and my husband along with his good friend, Kevin are manning the grill. I start to walk toward them when I hear my name being called. I look toward the glass doors and Selene is standing there. A long sundress hugged her curvy figure, leaving me to plan the start yet another diet. We hug each other and I walk inside to shut out the noise.

M: “I’m happy you made it. Did you have a hard time finding parking?”

S: “I’m used to valet or off street parking, so this was a change.”

M: “So, tell me. How are you and Jason?”

She laces her hands together and bites her lip.

S: “We are working through it.”

M: “I’m glad. Describe Jason in one word.”

S: “One word? Perfect. Loyal. Sexy.”

M: “TMI, Selene.”

We both laugh and she watches the kids playing outside.

S: “He’s a great guy and I’m lucky to have him.”

M: “Describe Lucio.”

S: “Maniac, Monster, Dire need of a strait jacket.”

M: “Yes he does. What is your biggest accomplishment?”

S: “Spilling coffee on a detective.”

I laugh remembering how they met.

M: “Any regrets?”

S: “Not telling Daphne everything.”

M: “It might not have made a difference, Selene.”

S: “Maybe it wouldn’t but I’ll guess we’ll never know.”

M: “What do you think about people asking to read Love Lost?”

S: “It’s so surreal. I hope they will enjoy the love story between Jason and I.”

Jason comes in and Selene runs to hug him. They kiss and I walk back outside to give them their privacy. As I enjoy the time with my family and friends, I think about Love Lost and the journey that Jason and Selene have to endure.

If you want to know more, pick up your copy of Love Lost. You didn’t think I would give any spoilers, did ya?

About the Author:

Maria DeSouza is a 32 year old New Jersey native with a love for writing. She has two children, who are her life, and family that makes her want to scream at times, but still loves them. She started her affair with reading and writing at a very young age. She loves where books take her, and always wished for the day when she would meet her very own dream boat. She grew up on Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and anything her library would let her borrow. She would always grab a notebook and start writing about the books she read about because she wanted the story to continue. She never took it seriously until a friend a few years ago told her that she needed to publish her work after she wrote down a short story. The words stuck with her and she was constantly asked, “Did you write more? Are you done?” A back injury put her writing on hold for almost 2 yrs and last year, she found the short story and started reading. Then, she started writing and adding to it. That little dream turned story turned into her debut novel, Love Lost.

About Me

Living in Northern New Jersey originally from Long Island, Jill Prand is a wife and mother of two girls. She's been an avid reader all her life, spending Sunday afternoons curled up with a good book. "We had a huge bookshelf in our den when I was a child with a diverse set of authors like Ayn Rand, Stephen King, Mario Puzo & Danielle Steele. I cut my literary teeth on Walter Farley, Judy Blume and SE Hinton before raiding my parents library." Jill is currently working on the Walking Series as well as a stand alone novel. She loves to hear from readers.